SB Nation User Blog: RayAlmeda

Perimeter Offense will be key tonight: Morrow, Curry, Jax, Maggette

RayAlmeda — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:14:05 -0000

Because of Houston's style of defense, I'm not entirely sure we'll have an easy time getting to the basket tonight without getting fouled or having our shots altered. Yao Ming is out obviously, Tracy McGrady as well, AND Houston is coming off a BACK TO BACK (they lost to Portland yesterday).

So we have a good chance to win... if we can get our Perimeter Offense going.

Ron Artest is gone, but they still have Shane Battier and Trevor Ariza to guard the wings. They're very good at doing that, so this game COULD be decided by the shooting touches of Morrow, Curry, Jax and Maggette than anything else. I expect a lot of double-teams on Ellis, forcing him to swing the ball out more.

And you can be sure I'll be shouting from my Section 208 Row DS tonight too. For games like this every season where its an offensive vs a defensive team, the crowd noise could be all the difference in the world.

The lead singer of Journey will be making a special appearance on November 9th when the Warriors...

RayAlmeda — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:34:18 -0000

The lead singer of Journey will be making a special appearance on November 9th when the Warriors face the L.A. Clippers on Filipino Heritage Night.

Arnel Pineda, the Filipino lead singer of the legendary rock band Journey makes a special guest appearance at Oracle Arena.

GS Warriors vs. LA Clippers
Friday - November 6, 2009 - 7:30pm
Special Appearance and Post-Game Q&A with Arnel Pineda, the lead singer of Journey.

The Arnel Pineda Foundation is excited to announce Filipino Heritage Night with the Golden State Warriors. Support the Arnel Pineda Foundation and celebrate Filipino Heritage while watching the Golden State Warriors take on the LA Clippers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA. Bring family and friends and celebrate Filipino Heritage. Tickets are limited and will sell out as this exclusive event will be strongly promoted by Warrior management. Take advantage of special pre-sale pricing available through September 30, 2009. Just as the world’s best pound for pound boxer, Manny Pacquiao, received the most raucous of receptions during Filipino Heritage Night with the SF Giants at AT&T park, may the Bay Area welcome the latest symbol of Filipino culture and pride in Arnel Pineda. Don’t miss out on one of the bigger more meaningful events of the year!

Purchase tickets online at:
https://www.gs-warriors.com/forms/secure/fct_filipino0910_faa.html
Tickets available 09/15 at 9:30am PST

(TYPE IN "APF" in the questions box on your online order form to receive the pre-sale group rate.)

Ticket questions: Kristin Cantlin(510) 986-5430 kscantlin@gs-warriors.com

A portion of the proceeds from each ticket sale will directly benefit the AP Foundation and other Filipino Bay Area charities.

LINK:

Filipino Night w/ Arnel Pineda

Hope to see everyone there!

Ray Almeda

twitter.com/rayalmeda

via fast1.onesite.com

Clippers 'serious' about Iverson

RayAlmeda — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:24:13 -0000

Clippers 'serious' about Iverson

What does this bode for the Warriors? If Iverson joins the Clippers, does Baron Davis or Eric Gordon get their minutes cut?

And is there still anybody out there hoping [or would agree with] a Baron Davis comeback>

Why the Amare Trade Is Back on the Table

RayAlmeda — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:10:33 -0000

I have my sources and won't name them obviously, but let's just say that the Warriors' circle of trust is widened already internally. I've heard a summing up of internal talk within the Warriors organization has been talking about this trade pointing to a bigger bottom-line for the Warriors.

Let me explain.

Andris Biedrins - a fantastic NBA rebounder who's still extremely young, yet still versatile.

Marco Belinelli - a NBA sharpshooter that has the ability to take over games with flash, but we've yet to see it on a consistent basis.

Brendan Wright - the "guy" we traded Richardson for due to a failed Wolves/Garnett trade.

The NBA all knows that we're dandling these guys. Talk has it that we're getting more trade offers than meets the eye. Just not any of em are getting close to reality, but players like Josh Smith, Carlos Boozer and Shawn Marion have all been discussed.

Why is this so important for the Warriors?

Teams now see who's on the Warriors trading block. And the sudden anxiousness of a team looking for the playoffs have gotten the Suns scared that they might not possess enough time to made an Amare deal (one that MUST be done due to obvious reasons) BEFORE the Warriors actually pull the trigger on something else.

It's evident why the media keeps talking about Steve Kerr denying certain claims of a trade at all. The Amare Stoudemire trade to the Suns was always on the table and neither team has yet to back out of the trade. This was recently revealed by Kerr on Tuesday morning on Arizona radio.

Let's see how long the Warriors will be holding their cards, because the Suns' trade offer suddenly isn't the only trade they're working around the clock to get done.

My personal opinion? Two unproven stars and a young solid-center for a top-flight, all-star forward?

I want to win now. Get Amare LONG-TERM deal cheap, add a draft pick for next year and make the deal with Phoenix. Nelson could be the ultimate call. But we all know he's patient. Very patient.

Report: Amare trade stalled; S. Curry NOT in deal; NBA Exec: "Likely Won't Happen"

RayAlmeda — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:36:28 -0000

It looks like the trade that most Warrior fans want to happen, involving the Suns' Amare Stoudemire, has hit a stumbling block.

CBS Sportsline's Ken Berger reports (paraphrased)

1.) Stephen Curry is NOT a part of the deal as the trade was being constructed Thursday night.

2.) One league executive with knowledge of the trade situation said that "LIKELY WON'T HAPPEN"

Of course, we have till July 1st that Biedrins/etc/etc could get traded because of Biedrins' base-year compensation status, but if the Warriors can't pull this off and the duo-guard tandem doesn't work for the Warriors in the long run. Then can we discuss the Warriors inept decision-making to bring big game-changers like Stoudemire and Garnett as being the biggest brick-walls towards getting to the next level... a championship?

Taking a cue from Larry the Cable guy... c'mon Warriors... GIT R Done!

Source: Ken Berger CBS Blog

BREAKING: Shaq to CAVS for B. Wallace/S. Pavlovic

RayAlmeda — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:28:27 -0000

It's official according to ESPN:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4285489

Shaq is going to CLEVELAND to partake in the craziness of Lebron/Shaq VS. Kobe/Gasol.

Did the dream FINALS matchup for next year get even MORE interesting? My thoughts on this are obvious since I'm such the Laker hater, but what do you all of you think about the prospect of Lebron James STAYING in Cleveland if this brings the Cavs a championship?

Recap of the 2009 Warriors Fan Forum

RayAlmeda — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:56:03 -0000

Don't want to go into too much detail, but he's some of the notes I took down right after the 1st ever Warriors Fan Forum from 1:30pm-2:30pm today (for Season Ticket Holders only):

- Riley: We want to 'keep our style of basketball' no matter what - regardless of what happens with Nelson in the future, coaches, or our players.

- Riley <on big man need>: "We certainly need one, but one with BEEF (Doesn't have to be 7 foot 2). Big man who can hold his ground down there."

- Rowell <on high-priced concessions>: "We're doing a lot. Food will be better this upcoming year, we're changing the menu a bit. But we cannot make changes, as these prices are paced on contracts and capital that are tied to Levy Restaurants (restuarant company). We gotta charge more to operate the workers, improve our roster, and overall keep all facilities in Oracle Arena high."

- Riley <on Stephen Jackson's extension>: "We always agreed that he should be part of the team. Players, coaches, everybody recognize what he did for us, the way he played, and what he did in the 2007 playoffs."

- Riley <on player to close games>: "We have two guys that we are focused on doing this next season: Monta Ellis and hopefully Anthony Randolph."

- Riley <on point guard situation>: "The right kind of point guard we need is someone who passes, someone who can move the ball. Tony Parker is better than Monta at the Pick and Roll, but we need to take advantage of player's strengths, and maybe with the 7th pick we address that."

- Note: One guy was hung up on after he said "Don Nelson ruined our team, and he's back to ruin it again. He's lost as many games as he's won, and has never really won anything before."

- Riley <on Don Nelson>: "We like him because he's quirky, unconventional - he's hard ot manage - but he wants to win and that's what I like about him."

- Riley <on direction of team>: "We need to develop our young player. We only need ONE more player or so to get back to that playoff caliber level. Whether it comes via trade or free agency we'll see. But we want to keep our players for 3-4 years, watch them mature. We like what we have."

- Riley <on Morrow and Randolph>: "We plan to keep them. They played 1000 minutes total each last season as rookies and it's good to know that they already have their feet wet."

- Riley <on Monta Ellis>: "I talked with Monta yesterday and one thing I wanted to discuss with him was his current state. Not physically but mentally. We want to make sure that he's ready for the next season and he's committed towards remaining focused."

- Riley <on Anthony Randolph>: "I think Anthony could be pick #1 or pick #2 in this year's draft quite honestly, if he came out this year."

- Rowell <on finishing the season>: "10-12 as a 2nd half record is not acceptable. We need to make sure that we're locked-in to win basketball games next year, and get to about .500 with road games to stay in contention."

- Note: About 1000 people on call (according to moderator Bob Fitzgerald. There was also a poll at the end (needing pressing of phone pressing) to vote whether the call helped the caller decide upon season tickets (Yes, No, Maybe, Already Renewed).

For more on this (more detailed)... check GSoM's official report:

http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/5/21/882722/warriors-conference-call-with

missed it by two minutes. :-)

Last Home Game of the Season Tonight Vs. Spurs - Who's going?

RayAlmeda — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:59:06 -0000

Tonight marks the end of yet another disappointing season. Maybe not as disappointing as last year's since we were essentially a 50-win team not making the playoffs, but disappointing to the fact that we never got the fair chance to see how good we could be with this roster. With Monta injured, B. Wright, Jackson in spurts, Crawford being shown the door too many times, seeing Al Harrington succeed in a non-Warriors jersey, Baron shaky as they come, rumors of trades etc... this season has definitely been a roller-coaster ride for all of us. Just the fact that we're still so loyal and constantly following a 30-win team should be mind-boggling for any other NBA-team fan.

We're still hungry for the playoffs, the winning attitude and stopping another unfortunate playoff streak from racking up again.

So who's coming to the game Vs. the Spurs tonight? Should be a crazy one to go to (considering the traffic and parking situtation especially with the A's game going on at the same time), but it should be nice to see all of our bench players really PLAY for their ROSTER SPOT... NEXT SEASON.

Predictions? I see Morrow, CJ and Randolph all having great games, with Turiaf putting in a solid one. Who knows - we might even see an unexpected appearance from B-Dub or Marco tonight (Or :gulp: JD). Fact of the matter is, tonight will truly be Fan Appreciation Night. An ending in Oracle Arena for this season and a salute to those who still root hard for a team that could be labeled as the best "bad" team in the NBA. I think in the dictionary, that defines us as mediocre.

Regardless (and oddly enough), I'd like to say THANK YOU to all of the GSoM bloggers, loyalists and readers that have come to stop by my seats in support of other GSoM community members during the season. From the "Ref U Suck" and "Rocky" chants originating from my section, I will be raising a cup of beer for all of you tonight as well. This has certainly been a tough season (Sorry TJ, I took you to the Thunder AND Cavs buzzer beater games back to back), but there were some great high moments (BritGSW, don't forget about our Kings-fan COUNTER that one night).

For those going to the game, please stop by Section 208, Row DS Seats 15-16 to hang around (Look for the ALMEDA jersey). If there's seats around me as well, you should be able to sit down with us in the area. I technically own that area. :-)

I hope to see everyone tonight and next season... both with endings that will please Warrior fans and inspire other ones that deserves to be on this hypothetical train of promising basketball potential.

Who's going to the Season Ticket Holder BBQ before the game?

RayAlmeda — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:37:29 -0000

For those who don't know, the Warriors are holding an exclusive season-ticket holder BBQ before the game against the New Orleans Hornets. It will be 4-7pm in the Oracle Arena "D" parking lot. Of course, admittance REQUIRES a RSVP (one entry per individual season ticket).

I'll surely be there (look for the white ALMEDA jersey), and it'd be nice to have a nice GSoM "council" meet-up during the event.

I know that a lot of the GSoM readership don't have Season Tickets, but we need to get our voice heard more often at these NBA games. Refs are just not cutting us any slack.We just be louder, so maybe we can get a group together and see just what happens these last few games.

Quite frankly, I don't mind yelling REF U SUCK till the end of the season, regardless of the ref, so the NBA takes some kind of notice. It's an important time of year too, as our players are NOW considering whether sticking with the Warriors is really the way to go. Since we're essentially the REASON these players love playing at Oracle, the type of energy we gave the Warriors during the Kings game gave them JUST enough push to win it. (sans Jackson, Biedrins, injured Maggette, Wright, etc.).

It's Fan Appreciation Month, but really it's Player Appreciation Month for our ol' boys being patient enough through a controversially difficult and emotionally taxing season.

LET'S GO DUBS. See everyone at the BBQ.

A Night to Remember As a Warrior Fan for me Tonight - UPDATED w/ HD Video Clips

RayAlmeda — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:09:37 -0000

I'm going to be the Season Ticket Holder of the Game tonight and never thought it would be so meaningful unless I look back at it all.

Baron Davis returns. St. Paddy's day. HOWEVER, Stephen Jackson out. Biedrins out. Maybe another starter out. Belinelli out.

Everything is AGAINST my favor of the Warriors winning tonight and me going home with a signed, autographed basketball from the player of the game.

STILL, I'm there tonight to represent GSoM and hope that I'll be able to give a shout-out to the site when I'm introduced by Franco Finn sometime in the 2nd quarter.

To me, this honor is something I never expected this early being a fan, but it's probably the best thing that can happen to a Warriors fan (from an official, recorded standpoint).I mean - I've only been a season ticket holder for 2 years. There's countless others out there who deserve it more than me; I'm talking about the 30 year-season-ticket-holder vets who pay money to numerous bad teams and NEVER give up. This is a salute to all of you.

Anyway, quite a few of you have definitely stopped by seats and said HI. I really appreciate those hello's - people who hear me from other sections (Since I consider myself the LOUDEST Warrior fan in the arena). Definitely stop by and say hi tonight. I might not be as loud as other games (My voice has been LOST for the last 5 days because of the recent Warrior games, etc.), but I'll still try my best to cheer as loudly as I can without passing out.

Maybe we could get a crowd standing behind me and repping GSoM during the segment. Either way, I'm proud to call myself a Warrior fan this day and couldn't thank the Golden State Warriors (Ticket Office NOT Front Office) more from this privilege.

- Ray Almeda

Section 208, Row DS, Seats 15-16

UPDATED: 2:30 AM - March 18th

Hey everybody. I got an update for ya. Everything went well. Franco was very nice and we even chatted how BAD the decision to make Little Caesar's the main pizza distributor for the Warriors from now on.

Anyway, he said that my STH of the Night presentation was probably "one of the best ones." Mostly due to the crazy dancing that went behind my area (front row - Sect. 208).

To see the HD videos of the entire evening, head to my YouTube page at:

http://www.youtube.com/user/almehdaaol

It includes footage of Baron's introduction, Baron during the game (I sit courtside), and the actual crazy Season Ticket Holder of the Game moment.

Now, what's in the prize pack I won besides the AUTOGRAPHED BALL I received from the player of the game?

- $50/100 Best Buy Gift Card (not sure the amount but it's at least $50)

- Custom Golden State Warriors Keychains/Pins (All the Warriors team logos are featured - pretty awesome)

- Official Warriors Practice Basketball Shorts

- Official Warriors Season Ticket Holder of the Game T-Shirt

- Geek Squad T-Shirt

- Official Golden State Warriors Picture Frame (medium size - not digital)

- Official 2008-2009 Golden State Warriors Yearbook

- Official Golden State Warriors 08-09 Keychain/Miltary Tag

all in a Best Buy - Tote Backpack

Not bad... especially if you include the autographed ball, PICTURE of you and the Player of the Game (sent to you PERSONALLY by your Ticket Executive Agent, for me it was the fabulous Jen Goldman) AND being featured on the Warriors.com website as Season Ticket Holder of the Game.

Any other questions guys?